McCollum's Clutch Performance Nets SoCon Weekly Award

Western Carolina sophomore placekicker Bryan McCollum was today named the Southern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after scoring nine points, including the game-winning field goal in Saturday’s 27-26 road win at Furman.

McCollum, who also earned the honor on Sept. 21, claimed the third SoCon weekly award of his WCU career after earning the distinction following his collegiate debut at VMI a season ago. The SoCon's weekly honors are selected by the league office from nominations submitted by each member institution's communications staff.

McCollum scored nine points in Western Carolina’s 27-26 road win over Furman. He made three PATs and booted a pair of field goals, with the second being a game-winning 36-yarder in the final seconds of the game. It was his fourth game with multiple field goals this season.

The Sanford, N.C., native is now 14-for-15 (.933) this season on field goals, ranking first nationally among FCS kickers with double-digit attempts and fourth overall in field goal percentage. His 14 field goals are tied for 10th in WCU’s single-season record book, matching his older brother Richard McCollum’s 2023 season (14-of-15). Over the past two seasons, the younger McCollum is 16-of-17 on field goals, 14th in WCU’s career ledgers.

McCollum leads the Catamounts with 72 points this season and ranks second in the Southern Conference in both scoring and scoring average (8.0 points per game).

Saturday's matchup between Western Carolina and Furman featured two of the FCS's top kickers, as Furman’s Nathan Chapman was an honorable mention for the Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week after finishing 4-of-5 on field goals against the Catamounts.

Western Carolina (4-5, 2-3 SoCon) returns to the friendly confines of E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field on Saturday (Nov. 7), to host Wofford (5-4, 3-3 SoCon), which continues to receive votes in the AFCA Coaches Poll. While McCollum's late field goal lifted WCU to victory at Furman, Wofford suffered a 10-9 setback at Samford on a walk-off kick.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) and the Catamount Sports Network. WCU will celebrate its relationship with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on EBCI Day, while also celebrating Heroes Day, honoring all military – active and veteran – as well as first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Saturday is also Youth Football Day, with area youth players and cheerleaders admitted free just by wearing their uniforms to the game.